Drywall for the basement

[JKEB]

Unfortunately my basement will be getting a renovation this winter due to some water damage. So here I come for a little more advise and direction.

Our older home was 100% wood panelling (4'x8'x1/8") and with the way the insurance guy was talking it looks the they'll pay to replace it all so it matches.

We are going to take the insurance payout when it comes and do the majority of the work ourselves. But that means we have the option of switching to drywall, which is NOT my forte.

So my question is, What is your experience in the cost of having drywall installed per linear foot (hung, mud, taped, sanded etc. 8' ceiling)? Edmonton area if that matters. Panelling looks like $10-15 per linear foot for material plus my time which is free. Painting the drywall is a non factor because my time is free and materials cost is low.

Obviously the aesthetics will be much different but that's a decision we will have to make when comparing the costs. I will gladly accept any thought and advice!

[Twisted Canuck]

How is your access to basement? Can you get longer board down (12')....?

I'm not sure what pricing is like in Edmonton, but if I'm looking at a basement Reno job here in GP it's will probably be around $2.25 per square foot of board, installed and finished with a knockdown texture ceiling. Not sure what you mean when you are saying linear foot cost, but Drywall is usually priced out by board foot (square foot). For instance, say your basement is 1000' square foot space, you would have approximately 3500 ± board feet of drywall depending on layout, how many rooms, closets etc....with ceilings finished. At $2.25 a foot, you are looking at $7875 +gst all in for material, labour, clean up. You supply dumpster for that.

New construction is less, but with a Reno there is a lot more work in draping everything off so your whole house and ducts don't get full of dust. For the record, drywall price has gone way up in the last 5 years, as well as mud, paint, texture, poly....everything.

Hope that doesn't wreck your day. You may get it done cheaper in the city, just make sure whoever you get has a reputation for service and quality. Living with a lousy job that is poorly done and takes weeks and weeks to do....isn't worth saving a few hundre bucks.

Good luck if you go that route.

[W921]

So you already have water damage and now your thinking of drywall?
I would think drywall would be worst option because of future water, moisture damage.
Is the basement finished? Is it a newer basement made with Styrofoam blocks with concrete in them? Do you have electrical wires on the walls?

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by W921

So you already have water damage and now your thinking of drywall?
I would think drywall would be worst option because of future water, moisture damage.
Is the basement finished? Is it a newer basement made with Styrofoam blocks with concrete in them? Do you have electrical wires on the walls?

If the water issue has been dealt with, no reason to write off drywall. Definitely the most neutral wall finish.

Grizz

[ZJHoban]

Originally Posted by Twisted Canuck

How is your access to basement? Can you get longer board down (12')....?

I'm not sure what pricing is like in Edmonton, but if I'm looking at a basement Reno job here in GP it's will probably be around $2.25 per square foot of board, installed and finished with a knockdown texture ceiling. Not sure what you mean when you are saying linear foot cost, but Drywall is usually priced out by board foot (square foot). For instance, say your basement is 1000' square foot space, you would have approximately 3500 ± board feet of drywall depending on layout, how many rooms, closets etc....with ceilings finished. At $2.25 a foot, you are looking at $7875 +gst all in for material, labour, clean up. You supply dumpster for that.

New construction is less, but with a Reno there is a lot more work in draping everything off so your whole house and ducts don't get full of dust. For the record, drywall price has gone way up in the last 5 years, as well as mud, paint, texture, poly....everything.

Hope that doesn't wreck your day. You may get it done cheaper in the city, just make sure whoever you get has a reputation for service and quality. Living with a lousy job that is poorly done and takes weeks and weeks to do....isn't worth saving a few hundre bucks.

Good luck if you go that route.

Good post. Pricing will be similar in Calgary.
As stated by Twisted, don't take the lowest bid unless they have a good reputation. 5% - 10% price increase may save you a big headache chasing the trade for small touch ups

[JKEB]

Thanks for the replies. That’s the answer I was looking for. I should have know the drywall was calculated in square feet. Nothing will be repaired inside until the water issues are dealt with. But it’s looking like redoing panelling myself at 30-60% of the cost.

[Twisted Canuck]

Yep, paneling is for sure cheaper, and you don't have to paint it either.....

[owlhoot]

Paneling over 3/8" or 1/2" drywall, just stagger the joints and you have a good solid wall and no need to mud and tape